Robert Irwin's Shocking Victory: The Full Breakdown Of The Dancing With The Stars Season 34 Finale

The most recent season of Dancing with the Stars concluded with an emotional and historic finale, crowning a new champion who continued a powerful family legacy in the ballroom. On December 2, 2025, the Len Goodman Mirrorball Trophy was awarded to wildlife conservationist Robert Irwin and his professional partner, Witney Carson, following a high-stakes night of competition against four other incredibly talented couples.

This victory, which came a decade after his sister's own win, cemented the Irwin family as a true dynasty in the reality dance competition. The finale was one of the tightest in DWTS history, with the winner ultimately decided by a combination of the judges' scores and the crucial viewer votes, creating a thrilling and unforgettable conclusion to Season 34.

Robert Irwin: Biography, Family Legacy, and DWTS Journey

Robert Clarence Irwin, born on December 1, 2003, is an Australian conservationist, television personality, and award-winning wildlife photographer. He is the son of the late, legendary "Crocodile Hunter," Steve Irwin, and Terri Irwin, and the younger brother of Bindi Irwin.

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Robert grew up at the Australia Zoo on Queensland's Sunshine Coast, where he continues his family’s mission of wildlife conservation, regularly appearing in television programs like *Crikey! It's the Irwins*. His public persona is deeply rooted in his passion for animals, making his pivot to the highly demanding world of ballroom dancing a surprising and inspiring journey for fans worldwide.

His appearance on *Dancing with the Stars* Season 34 carried significant weight, as his sister, Bindi Irwin, famously won Season 21 in 2015 with partner Derek Hough. Robert’s win makes the Irwins the first siblings in the show’s history to both take home the coveted Mirrorball Trophy, a testament to their family's enduring charisma and connection with the American public.

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The Final Five: Breaking Down the DWTS Season 34 Finale

The Season 34 finale was a three-hour spectacular, featuring five celebrity couples competing for the title. Each couple performed three routines: a Judges' Choice dance, an Instant Dance, and a show-stopping Freestyle. The panel of judges—Carrie Ann Inaba, Derek Hough, and Bruno Tonioli—provided their final critiques, but the ultimate decision rested with the combination of their scores and the live viewer votes.

The competition was fierce, with social media star Alix Earle and her partner Val Chmerkovskiy achieving a perfect 90 out of 90 for their three dances. However, the immense fan support for Robert Irwin proved to be the decisive factor in the final tally.

Here is the final ranking of the Season 34 finalists:

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• Winner: Robert Irwin and Witney Carson
• Runner-Up (2nd Place): Alix Earle and Val Chmerkovskiy
• 3rd Place: Jordan Chiles and Ezra Sosa
• 4th Place: Dylan Efron and Daniella Karagach
• 5th Place: Elaine Hendrix and Alan Bersten

The finale also brought back all the eliminated couples for a celebratory opening number, with hosts Alfonso Ribeiro and Julianne Hough guiding the audience through the electrifying performances.

The Winning Performances: Robert and Witney’s Path to the Mirrorball

Robert Irwin and Witney Carson, affectionately nicknamed "Team Crikey," delivered two standout performances that captivated both the judges and the voting audience. Despite a minor rib injury sustained by Robert in the weeks leading up to the finale, he pushed through to deliver his best dancing of the season.

The pair’s first routine was the Judges’ Choice, a high-energy Quickstep to "Are You Gonna Be My Girl" by Jet. The routine, chosen by Derek Hough, was praised for its technical difficulty and Robert’s incredible showmanship, earning them a near-perfect score of 29 out of 30.

Their second performance, the highly anticipated Freestyle, is often the most important dance of the night. Robert and Witney opted for a powerful, emotionally charged routine set to "Black & Gold." The dance was a tribute to Robert's late father, Steve Irwin, and the legacy of the Australia Zoo, incorporating elements of their conservation work. Bruno Tonioli called the routine "a beautiful tribute," while Carrie Ann Inaba highlighted the emotional depth and flawless execution.

Though their combined judges' score of 89/90 was technically one point lower than Alix Earle’s perfect 90, the overwhelming support from the viewers secured their victory. This outcome is a classic example of how viewer votes can completely overturn the judges' leaderboard in the DWTS finale, proving that a strong emotional connection and compelling journey are just as important as technical perfection.

Topical Authority: Key Entities and LSI Keywords from Season 34

The most recent season of *Dancing with the Stars* generated significant buzz, solidifying the show's place in pop culture. The season was notable for several key entities and storylines that dominated the conversation and are vital for topical authority:

• The Irwin Legacy: Robert's win, a decade after Bindi Irwin’s victory, became the central narrative, highlighting the family’s enduring appeal.
• The Judges: The consistent judging panel of Carrie Ann Inaba, Derek Hough, and Bruno Tonioli maintained their roles, with their scores and critiques driving weekly drama.
• The Mirrorball Trophy: The Len Goodman Mirrorball Trophy—named in honor of the late head judge—remains the ultimate prize and a key entity in all DWTS discussions.
• Pro-Partners' Success: Witney Carson secured her second Mirrorball, a major milestone in her career as a professional dancer.
• The Shocking Runner-Up: Alix Earle's perfect score in the finale, followed by a second-place finish, became a major talking point, demonstrating the power of the viewer vote over the judges' scores.

Other relevant entities and LSI keywords that emerged from the season include: *DWTS Final Scores*, *Freestyle Dance*, *Quickstep*, *Val Chmerkovskiy*, *Dylan Efron*, *Jordan Chiles*, *Australia Zoo*, *wildlife conservation*, and *celebrity dance competition*.